The Polished History of Nail Art You Shouldn’t File Away

It shouldn’t come as news to anyone that us girls have been pretty badass since the beginning of time. What may come as a surprise to some is that we’ve been kicking ass this entire time with perfectly manicured hands.

Dating back to the ancient Egyptian times, both Queen Nefertiti and Queen Cleopatra were known to rule their kingdom while wearing nail polish to distinguish their social status. During the early 19th century, nail art began to pick up again after a brief hiatus, and Victorian women were taught that it was simply “polite” to practice the best personal hygiene possible, and this included having polished nails.

Nowadays, there are all kinds of ways to express yourself through the use of nail art. One of my favorite memories as a kid has always been the first time I ever went to a nail salon to get my nails done. It was for my very first high school dance, and my friend and I had our moms drop us off to explore the magic that is a nail salon. The rest as they say, is history.

I’ve been obsessed with having my nails manicured ever since, and the sight of a slight chip in my polish will ruin my day. I’ve experimented with acrylics, gel, and regular polish, and I’d have to say my favorite type of polish is the gel because of its long-lasting effects. I began experimenting with different kinds of designs, and the results have been hit or miss.

It seems that I am not alone in my love for nail art however, because a simple search for “nail art” on Pinterest will lead you down into a black hole of never-ending art designs. Recently, nail art was heavily seen on models during this past season’s fashion week, ranging from Nanette Lepore to Nicole Miller to The Blonds.